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49
The Lover
[Short Story]
Translated by Andrew K. Davidson
Revised translation by Daniela & Matt Riain
The history of Eugen the
monk is made up of 200
events, both dramatic and
memorable. He was never
a handsome man. Nor
capable. Nor was he stately.
Nor was he even likeable.
His power was rooted solely
in desire, both subtle and
firm.
Some may still remember
him: passing through the
monastery gates in the
mornings, his silhouette
floating like a feather
following behind a covered
wagon. Without rushing in
the slightest, he would go
down the gray street where
he would always stop in
the shade of the grapevine
canopy on the outskirts of
the Flower Market.
Back then, the place was
so crowded that people’s
faces brushed together in
passing, while the monk’s
eyes would close, unable to
grasp all the details of the
rustling movements.
In fact, he let himself get
(become) drowsy on the
aroma of the market,
breathing in the heated oil of
lily-of-the-valley or listening
to the sighing of hundreds
of underarms. It was not
important to him where
the scents came from, and
if someone asked him - he
only knew the names of
three flowers. Usually, the
monk thought of nothing.
He was a languid man under